Footballers to star with Amitabh Bachchan in Jhund

Tough challenges are a way of life for Amitabh Bachchan. For Nagaraj Manjule’s Jhund, the actor will be playing the character of renowned football coach Vijay Barse, who was the man behind the Slum Soccer campaign that brought children from the slums on the field for a better life. But that is not the most interesting part about the film. Big B will be shown sharing field (and screen) space with real footballers. And first-rate ones at that.

Says a source close to the project, “A lot of the football that Amitabh will be seen playing in Jhund will be with professional players. To look convincing with them on the field, Big B is also working on sharpening his football skills, learning some really mean moves on the field.”

Turns out Abhishek Bachchan, who is a football player, has also been roped in for help. But that isn’t all. Nagaraj will take the help of many real-life members of Barse’s Slum Soccer organisation too. These hardcore footballers will play roles in Jhund and be seen on the field with Amitabh. Here’s a fun fact: Amitabh has played a lot of football during his young days in Kolkata.

Says Nagaraj, “We start shooting for the film from November. All I can say at the moment is that nothing in the film will be haphazard or casual. We will treat the theme and the characters with the respect they deserve. I grew up idolising Bachchan saab’s Vijay, the Angry Young Man in Zanjeer, Deewaar and Trishul.”

It is no coincidence that the superstar is called Vijay in Jhund.

The actor, who just turned 75 on October 11, will start preparing for his role in Jhund as soon this week.